An Air India aircraft bound for New York suffered damage to one of its engines on Thursday after it ingested a foreign object while taxiing at Delhi airport, following a diversion triggered by the closure of Iranian airspace.
According to an official statement from Air India, Flight AI101, operating from Delhi to New York (JFK), was forced to return shortly after departure due to the sudden airspace restriction affecting its planned route. After landing back in Delhi amid dense fog, the aircraft encountered a container-like foreign object on the taxiway, resulting in damage to its right engine.
A video circulating on social media, reportedly filmed by a passenger on board, shows the aircraft parked on the tarmac and surrounded by ground personnel, with visible damage to the engine.
“Air India confirms that Flight AI101 was required to return to Delhi following the unexpected closure of Iranian airspace,” the airline said. “Upon landing, the aircraft encountered a foreign object while taxiing in dense fog conditions, leading to damage to the right engine.”
The airline confirmed that the aircraft was safely moved to a designated parking bay, and that all passengers and crew remained unharmed.
The aircraft has since been grounded for detailed inspection and repairs, and Air India cautioned that the incident may lead to temporary disruptions on select Airbus A350 routes.
“Air India regrets the inconvenience caused to our passengers and is proactively assisting them with alternative travel arrangements or refunds, as per passenger preference,” the spokesperson said, adding that safety remains the airline’s highest priority.
Recent Engine-Related Incidents
The incident comes shortly after another engine-related issue involving an Air India flight last month. On December 22, a Delhi–Mumbai Air India flight was forced to make a midair turnaround after experiencing a technical problem approximately an hour after take-off.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) said the aircraft, a Boeing 777 carrying around 355 passengers, returned to Delhi after the flight crew observed low oil pressure in the right-hand engine during flap retraction.
“The crew observed that engine oil pressure dropped to zero shortly thereafter and shut down Engine No. 2 in accordance with standard operating procedures,” the DGCA said, adding that the aircraft landed safely.
An Air India spokesperson had earlier confirmed that the decision to return was taken as a precautionary measure, without elaborating on the technical fault.
Both incidents are currently under review by aviation authorities, with investigations underway to determine the precise causes.
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